Significance of Dharma and Adharma
Dharma and Adharma represent the dual concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness across various philosophical and religious perspectives, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Dharma signifies moral duty, good actions, and the principles guiding ethical behavior, while Adharma denotes immorality, wrongdoing, and lawlessness. These concepts play essential roles in shaping moral understanding, guiding individual actions, and influencing the philosophical discourse on good and bad within the cultural context of India.
Synonyms: Righteousness, Virtue, Moral law, Duty, Justice, Moral order, Wickedness, Immorality, Unrighteousness, Injustice, Virtue and vice, Righteousness and unrighteousness, Moral and immoral, Good and evil
In Dutch: Dharma en Adharma; In Finnish: Dharma ja Adharma; In Spanish: Dharma y Adharma; In German: Dharma und Adharma; In Swedish: Dharma och Adharma; In Malay: Dharma dan Adharma; In French: Dharma et Adharma
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Dharma and Adharma'
Dharma and Adharma in Buddhism represent moral principles of right (Dharma) and wrong (Adharma), guiding ethical conduct and behavior. Understanding these concepts is essential for moral philosophy and spiritual practice, emphasizing righteousness and unrighteousness.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) Concepts representing the principles of righteousness (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma); knowledge of these principles is crucial for true understanding.[1] (2) Dharma refers to moral duty and righteousness, while adharma signifies the opposite, encompassing wrongdoing or immorality.[2] (3) Concepts representing righteousness and unrighteousness, respectively, that are central to moral philosophy.[3] (4) Moral and ethical principles that are beyond the direct comprehension of the physical senses.[4] (5) Concepts referring to moral order (Dharma) and chaos or immorality (Adharma) that are said to be unrelated to the knowledge of all individuals and components.[5]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness, which provide an understanding of good and bad actions.[6]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Concepts of morality and immorality that were mislabelled by the damned, leading to their spiritual downfalls.[7]
Hindu concept of 'Dharma and Adharma'
In Hinduism, Dharma signifies righteous actions and societal values, while Adharma represents unrighteousness and sin. These concepts guide moral behavior, influencing existence and ethical conduct throughout different yugas and shaping the cosmic balance.
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Dharma refers to righteousness, while Adharma denotes unrighteousness, both pertaining to moral behaviors in life.[8] (2) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness, respectively, guiding moral and ethical behavior.[9] (3) The distinction between righteous duty (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma), central to the moral confusion faced by Janamejaya.[10]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Principles representing righteous duty (dharma) and unrighteousness (adharma) which are established through the arrangement of life.[11] (2) The concepts of virtue (dharma) and sin (adharma) that the characters discuss regarding their greater power in the world.[12]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) Dharma refers to virtue and righteousness flourishing with four legs, while Adharma refers to sin that was depicted with one leg during this era.[13]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness, which the enlightened individual does not discriminate.[14]
From: Brihaddharma Purana (abridged)
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness that Vishnu will establish and exterminate, respectively.[15]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The past righteous and unrighteous actions that influence the jiva's current existence.[16] (2) The principles of righteousness and unrighteousness that are understood to be illusory and without true existence when one realizes their non-dual nature.[17] (3) Dharma refers to righteous or moral actions, while adharma refers to unrighteous or immoral actions that arise from one's desires.[18]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Represent moral righteousness (dharma) and unrighteousness (adharma), respectively, described as the eyes of the bird Om.[19] (2) Concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness that are consumed during the dissolution process.[20]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) The concepts of righteous and unrighteous actions, which can instigate causes of fear in individuals.[21]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) Concepts representing virtuous and vicious deeds that aid in the contact of the soul and mind, influencing effort and living.[22] (2) The principles of moral righteousness (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma) that are properties of the self and indicate its moral qualities.[23] (3) Moral and immoral principles that govern the actions and experiences of the individual, influencing rebirth and the soul's journey.[24] (4) Dharma refers to actions that are in alignment with moral and ethical principles, while Adharma denotes actions that contradict these principles.[25]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Dharma refers to righteousness or duty in Hindu philosophy, while adharma signifies the opposite, indicating actions or principles that go against dharma.[26] (2) The dual concepts representing meritorious acts (Dharma) and acts of wrongdoing (Adharma) as defined by their consequences.[27] (3) Concepts representing righteousness and unrighteousness, which guide the moral considerations in the investigation of cases.[28] (4) Concepts representing right and wrong actions, respectively, central to the ethical framework discussed in the texts.[29]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Dharma signifies right activity that upholds order, while Adharma represents its opposite, contributing to moral and ethical conduct.[30] (2) Dharma refers to the moral order of the universe, while Adharma signifies disorder; the balance of these concepts is critical for the cosmos's existence.[31]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) Dharma refers to actions that yield piety, while adharma pertains to actions that lead to sin; both are mentioned in the Shrutis as guiding principles for conduct.[32]
Jain concept of 'Dharma and Adharma'
In Jainism, Dharma represents the principle of lawfulness and righteousness, facilitating motion, while Adharma signifies lawlessness and moral decay, representing rest. Together, they embody the dualities of action and stillness in the universe.
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) These terms represent the dual principles of motion and rest that encompass all actions and stillness in the universe.[33] (2) Both mediums that play critical roles in facilitating motion and rest, respectively.[34]
From: Sutrakritanga (English translation)
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness, or moral law versus immoral actions.[35]
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) Concepts co-extensive with the world, representing lawfulness (Dharma) and lawlessness or moral decay (Adharma).[36]
The concept of Dharma and Adharma in local and regional sources
Dharma and Adharma in the Ramayana symbolize righteousness and unrighteousness, as depicted by Valmiki, emphasizing that these concepts are universally applicable to all individuals, transcending gender distinctions.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Dharma is defined as righteous action that is beneficial and desirable, while Adharma is unrighteous action that leads to harm and undesirability.[37] (2) The concepts of righteousness (dharma) and unrighteousness (adharma) illustrated through the conflicts in the Mahabharata.[38] (3) Concepts in the Ramayana representing righteousness and unrighteousness, which Valmiki suggests apply equally to all individuals regardless of gender.[39]